Providing for Consideration of H.R. Restaurant Revitalization Fund Replenishment Act of and for Other Purposes

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for yielding me time to speak on this critical issue.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to defeat the previous question so we can take up H.R. 6858, the American Energy Independence from Russia Act. This commonsense legislation introduced by Representatives McMorris Rodgers and Westerman would require President Biden to submit an energy security plan to Congress to evaluate U.S. oil and natural gas imports, identify importing countries that pose an energy security risk to America, and encourage domestic production of oil and natural gas to offset imports from Russia.

In fact, in contrast to our colleague's statement, Iowa is a leader in renewable energy. Fifty percent of our energy comes from renewable sources. We even pay restaurants for their unused and old cooking oil. We are an energy exporter, and it is all done without a government mandate. All of the oil imported from Russia could be offset by ethanol made from corn in Iowa.

In order for the U.S. to become energy independent and secure, we must have an all-of-the-above energy policy. We must unleash our natural resources and produce our own clean, efficient energy here at home to ensure low energy prices and promote American jobs in our communities.

Rather than promoting policies that hamper U.S. energy production and ceding security to adversarial nations like Russia, Iran, and Venezuela, we should promote exploration here at home and unleash our potential. We must ensure that the current ban on Russian energy is sustainable by prioritizing U.S. energy production, including biofuels.

Just last week, the President released a budget proposal that included $45 billion on new taxes on domestic energy production. This comes on top of other disastrous decisions over the past year and a half such as those that halt the Keystone XL pipeline and the current delay over the 5-year program for offshore energy leasing in the Gulf of Mexico. These policies are not working for hardworking American families and businesses who are dealing with high inflation and skyrocketing gas prices.

The American Independence from Russia Act would immediately approve the Keystone XL pipeline, remove restrictions on U.S. LNG exports, restart oil and gas leasing on Federal lands and waters, and protect energy and mineral development. These are key steps we can take to promote U.S. energy security, and we must take action now.

For this reason, I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the previous question. Support H.R. 6858 to make America energy independent and secure by voting ``no'' on the previous question.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source